One of the underlying stories regarding the middleweight title unification between Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs is a rehydration clause that has both fighters requiring to come in no more than 170 pounds at the day of the fight.
Jacobs, who is the physically bigger fighter, could be the one that may have a harder time not getting to rehydrate above 170 pounds. But in speaking with DAZN, Jacobs made it clear that the rehydration clause won’t be much of an issue with him.
As the IBF middleweight champion, Jacobs already had to deal with a similar clause for when he beat Sergiy Derevyanchenko to win the title back in October 2018. Jacobs believes that this new rehydration clause, created by Golden Boy Promotions and not by the IBF as unification fights supersede the original IBF clause, was meant to keep him from going up to his optimum weight.
“I think it’s absurd. The IBF normally rules for their title fights that you have to weigh-in at 170, within 10 pounds, the next morning, but if it’s for a unification then they out-rule that, so they don’t make that an actual case. But Golden Boy implemented that, so they can have somewhat of an advantage. I don’t know why they did it, but I think they think I’m the bigger man and they want to neutralize me as much as they can. Regardless into it because in my last fight, I had to follow those same rules and I came in to the ring healthy and strong and I look forward to being in my best version on Saturday night. So if you’re trying to prevent me from going to 180, 185 pounds, I’m still going to eat the day after the weigh-ins so I’m still going to be big and strong. Canelo is going to face a really big middleweight, a skilled middleweight,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs would go on to successfully make weight the day before the fight, coming in at the 160-pound limit. The fight against Alvarez will headline a DAZN-streamed card taking place at the T-Mobile Arena later tonight. Fightful will have live coverage of the entire card.
